Was inspired by Haradaya of Nippon Ichi for the colors, and my childhood for the background... This environment doesn't look all too Japanese, perhaps, but see it as a Nordic touch. In some clear nights, you can even see the Great Hakurei Border at the horizon...

Thanks. Well, Mari certainly looks like a (northern) European type of witch, so I guess it's appropriate. The Swedish mountains and forests, especially in the winter are spellbinding. And the Norwegian fjords and coastal areas, of course. Finland's got... a lot of fir trees and small lakes, mostly.

Somehow, she's got Norse blood in her, I'm sure of it. Also, the only appropriate word to describe those hose is "dazzling". That does a really neat thing with the mood here. Wintry-festive, but manages not to look "Christmas-y".

I came from Florida. Finland sounds remarkably similar, if you replace fir with pine and cold weather with alligators. Guess that means it'd have to be Sweden and Norway for an actual change of scenery. :V

Yes, Sweden or Norway in the winter would be quite a change from Florida, I'm sure. Especially in the northern parts. Maybe a skiing trip to Åre or Hemavan in the winter, or the Norwegian "Hurtigrutten"(the quick route) among the fjords and mountains in the summer.